For all the good that Alabama’s 48-43 win on Saturday against Ole Miss provided — like the first SEC win, the first true road win of the season, and the first win over the Rebels in three tries — it did present one problem.

It may have exposed Alabama’s greatest weakness to opposing coaches, the team’s secondary.

Let me be clear: I still think Alabama has one of the better secondary units in the SEC. However, if the team has an area that a team with a similar talent level can gain a matchup advantage, it is the Alabama secondary.

The defensive line has been the team’s greatest strength thus far with the linebackers probably coming in a very close second place. Dalvin Tomlinson, Da’Ron Payne and Reuben Foster have dominated against the run, while Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson have constantly harassed opposing quarterbacks as the front seven has been ferocious.

The Crimson Tide is averaging more than 230 yards per game in both rushing and passing. Blake Barnett is an outstanding quarterback prospect, but there is little question Jalen Hurts has added multiple layers to the offense with his athleticism. He’s taken tough hits, flashed a strong arm and helps defenses respect the Alabama offense because he can create plays on his own.

Damien Harris appears to be well ahead of the other running backs. Harris is a big change from Derrick Henry and more in the mold of a T.J. Yeldon, a deceptively physical back with exceptional quickness and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He showed his home run ability twice against USC (admittedly, former track star Adoree’ Jackson chased him down on both occasions).

Alabama is loaded at receiver with two 1,000-yard receivers, plus ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard at tight end. Only Ole Miss and Texas A&M can match the Crimson Tide from a depth perspective at the position in the conference.

The offensive line looked questionable during the team’s first two contests, but head coach Nick Saban and his staff saw strides by making a slight tweak, adding Alphonse Taylor back to the starting unit, which gave the team three of last season’s five starters. Ryan Kelly is tough to replace, having won the Rimington Award as the nation’s best center. However, Bradley Bozeman had a solid game against Ole Miss.

Yes, the unit still drew four false start penalties, all of them in the first half. However, consider that this was the team’s first road game of the season, and false start penalties are to be expected. Also, the unit showed great improvement from previous games by allowing Hurts time to throw the ball and creating holes for Harris. Even freshman Joshua Jacobs reeled off a 25-yard run.

Now back to Alabama’s pass defense.

The Tide has allowed 767 passing yards this season, which ranks 98th in the nation out of 128 qualifying teams. It’s still very early in the season, so take it with a grain of salt. However, for comparison purposes, that put the Crimson Tide just a shade behind Auburn and a shade above Vanderbilt. Not where they want to be.

Eddie Jackson is the unquestioned leader and should earn another All-SEC selection if he remains healthy. His absence played a role in Alabama’s secondary struggling late in the fourth quarter.

However, Ronnie Harrison missed a key tackle early on that resulted in an Ole Miss touchdown. Marlon Humphrey, who looked like a lockdown corner against USC, did not look like a lockdown corner against Ole Miss. Physical receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow was his primary matchup and had a solid game.

Minkah Fitzpatrick flat out missed an assignment, leaving tight end Evan Engram wide open for a touchdown. Later, when Fitzpatrick had to leave the game, Shyheim Carter matched up against Van Jefferson and Jefferson had success.

All in all, the Alabama secondary is still among the better units in the SEC. However, Ole Miss showed Saturday that a team with tall, physical receivers has a chance to beat Alabama unless the secondary shows great improvement.